CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells: Biomarkers for hepatic fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

AIM To characterize peripheral blood natural killer(NK) cells phenotypes by flow cytometry as potential biomarker of liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV) coinfected patients.METHODS Peripheral mononuclear cells from 24 HIV/HCV(HBVnegative) coinfected and 5 HIV/HCV/HBV seronegative individuals were evaluated. HIV/HCV coinfected patients were divided in to groups: G1, patients with METAVIR F0-F2 and G2, patients with METAVIR F3-F4. NK surface cell staining was performed with: AntiCD3(APC/Cy7), anti-CD56(PE/Cy5), anti-CD57(APC), anti-CD25(PE), anti-CD69(FITC), anti-NKp30(PE), antiNKp46(PE/Cy7), anti-NKG2D(APC), anti-DNAM(FITC); anti-CD62L(PE/Cy7), anti-CCR7(PE), anti-TRAIL(PE), anti-Fas L(PE), anti CD94(FITC). Flow cytometry data acquisition was performed on BD FACSCanto, analyzed using Flow Jo software. Frequency of fluorescence was analyzed for all single markers. Clinical records were reviewed, and epidemiological and clinical data were obtained.RESULTS Samples from 11 patients were included in G1 and from 13 in G2. All patients were on ARV, with undetectable HIV viral load. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by transient elastography in 90% of the patients and with biopsy in 10% of the patients. Mean HCV viral load was(6.18 ± 0.7 log10). Even though, no major significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 regarding NK surface markers, it was found that patients with higher liver fibrosis presented statistically lower percentage of NK cells than individual with low to mild fibrosis and healthy controls(G2: 5.4% ± 2.3%, G1: 12.6% ± 8.2%, P = 0.002 and healthy controls 12.2% ± 2.7%, P = 0.008). It was also found that individuals with higher liver fibrosis presented lower CD4 LT count than those from G1(G2: 521 ± 312 cells/μL, G1: 770 ± 205 cells/μL; P = 0.035).CONCLUSION Higher levels of liver fibrosis were associated with lower percentage of NK cells and LTCD4+ count; and they may serve as noninvasive biomarkers of liver damage.

冻干静注人免疫球蛋白(pH=4)HCV、HIV检测方法的抗干扰能力验证

目的:对冻干静注人免疫球蛋白(pH=4)丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C Virus,HCV)、人类免疫缺陷病毒(Human Immunodeficiency Virus,HIV)检测方法的抗干扰能力进行验证。方法:对冻干静注人免疫球蛋白(pH=4)进行酶联免疫法(Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay,ELISA)检测HCV、HIV抗体以及聚合酶链式反应法(Polymerase Chain Reaction,PCR)检测HCV-RNA、HIV-RNA的抗干扰能力验证。结果:ELISA法检测HCV、HIV抗体抗干扰能力验证中,B、C厂家的抗HCV试剂盒适合产品的HCV抗体的检测;C厂家的抗HIV试剂盒适合产品的HIV抗体的检测。PCR法检测产品HCV-RNA、HIV-RNA抗干扰能力验证中,在不加入HCV、HIV的情况下,样品检测均为阴性,加入HCV、HIV至每种病毒浓度为3倍检出限的情况下,用盐水稀释5倍的样品检测均为阳性,质控和阴、阳对照有效,符合验证可接受标准。结论:选择适用于人血清或血浆样本病毒检测的诊断试剂盒用于冻干静注人免疫球蛋白(pH=4)病毒检测,应进行抗干扰能力验证,以保证方法的适用性。

The Role of CHMP4C on Proliferation in the Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells

The human lung cancer has high incidence rate and mortality among the carcinoma. The research on enhancing the efficacy of therapy for lung cancer is significant. A resent research found that as a subunit of ESCRT-III, CHMP4C functioned to retard abscission timing to coordinate midbody resolution and prevent accumulation of DNA damage in the abscission checkpoint through phosphorylated by AuroraB. In the current study, we evaluated the possible mechanism of the effects of CHMP4C inhibition on cell cycle and cell survival in A549 cells. We found that CHMP4C knockdown caused lagging S phase in cell cycle through enhancing the phosphorylation of Rb, raising the expression of cyclin B1-cdc2 and suppressing the activation of cyclin A. Meanwhile, CHMP4Cdeletion depressed cell survival via decreasing cell viability and increasing caspase 3/7 activity. This study may promote new significant reference and advance for the mechanism underlying specific function of CHMP4C as well as further research on enhancing therapy effect on non-small lung cancer.

血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP与慢性心力衰竭病人心力衰竭严重程度及预后的相关性分析

目的:探讨血清人附睾蛋白4(HE4)、胱抑素C(Cystatin C)和脑钠肽(BNP)与慢性心力衰竭病人的心力衰竭严重程度及预后的相关性。方法:收集120例慢性心力衰竭病人为研究对象。根据纽约心脏协会(NYHA)的心功能分级标准分为心功能Ⅱ级24例、Ⅲ级53例、Ⅳ级43例。根据病人是否死亡将病人进一步分为31例死亡组和89例存活组,并于同期随机选取75名健康体检者为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测各组血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP水平,比较死亡组与存活组的各项临床指标。结果:心功能Ⅳ级病人血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP水平最高,其次为心功能Ⅲ级和心功能Ⅱ级,对照组最低(P<0.01)。与存活组相比,死亡组血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP水平明显升高,左心室射血分数(LVEF)明显明显下降(P<0.01)。血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP是病人预后的主要危险因素(OR=1.999、2.333、1.809,P<0.01),而LVEF是保护因素(OR=0.734,P<0.01)。血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP联合LVEF检测对病人预后的预测价值高于各指标单独检测。结论:血清HE4、Cystatin C及BNP水平升高与慢性心力衰竭病人的病情严重程度及预后密切相关,三项指标联合LVEF检测有助于预测不良预后发生风险,在慢性心力衰竭病人的诊治中具有一定临床价值。

人类复制因子C4在肺腺癌进展中的初步功能探究

目的:分析人类复制因子C第四大亚基(RFC4)在肺腺癌组织和细胞中的表达,探究其在肺腺癌进展中的作用。方法:通过starBase分析癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库中RFC4在肺腺癌组织中的表达;通过Kaplan-Meier plotter分析RFC4与肺腺癌的预后关系;利用人肺腺癌细胞A549、H1437和人正常肺上皮细胞BEAS-2B分析RFC4在肺腺癌细胞中的表达情况;转染RFC4 siRNA后,利用CCK-8法和Transwell法检测RFC4 siRNA对肺腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。结果:RFC4在肺腺癌组织中高表达,并与肺腺癌预后有较强的相关性,RFC4表达越高,肺腺癌患者的总生存期和无复发生存期就越低,预后较差;同样地,RFC4在肺腺癌细胞系中的表达也高于正常肺上皮细胞;RFC4 siRNA降低了肺腺癌细胞中RFC4的表达,使肺腺癌细胞的增殖、迁移侵袭能力下降。结论:RFC4在肺腺癌细胞中高表达,并促进了肺腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,涉及的详细分子机制还须进一步探究。

左归丸靶向C-X-C趋化因子受体4对人脐带间充质干细胞体外迁移的影响

目的:探讨左归丸通过靶向调控C-X-C趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)表达对人脐带间充质干细胞(hUC-MSCs)体外迁移的影响。方法:采用组织块法分离培养hUC-MSCs并进行流式鉴定。利用CCK-8检测不同浓度左归丸对hUC-MSCs增殖的影响,细胞划痕和Transwell实验分析左归丸对hUC-MSCs体外迁移的影响,实时聚合酶链反应(PCR)、蛋白印迹法和流式细胞术分析hUC-MSCs中CXCR4表达变化。结果:流式细胞术结果显示,hUC-MSCs表面高表达CD73和CD90,极低表达CD34和CD45。CCK-8结果显示,0.1、0.2 mg/mL左归丸均能明显促进hUC-MSCs增殖(P<0.05)。细胞划痕和Transwell实验结果显示,0.1、0.2 mg/mL左归丸能明显促进hUC-MSCs迁移,最佳浓度为0.2 mg/mL,CXCR4拮抗剂普乐沙福则能抑制其促迁移作用(P<0.05)。实时PCR、蛋白印迹法和流式细胞术结果显示,左归丸能上调hUC-MSCs中CXCR4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并促进CXCR4蛋白在细胞膜表达(P<0.05)。结论:左归丸通过上调CXCR4表达促进hUC-MSCs的体外迁移。

消水散对人胃癌小鼠腹膜移植模型B7/CD28/CTLA-4协同刺激通路及腹水微环境的影响

目的 研究消水散对人胃癌小鼠腹膜移植模型B7/CD28/细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关抗原-4(CTLA-4)协同刺激通路及腹水微环境的影响。方法 2019年4月至2020年5月,在湖南省中医药研究院动物中心实验室,采用腹腔注射人胃癌细胞MGC803建立人胃癌小鼠腹膜移植模型,共分为模型组、消水散低、中、高剂量组,另取正常小鼠为对照组,每组10只。通过行为学观察及测定血清促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、皮质醇(CORT)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)含量评估模型质量,影像学方法评估恶性腹水情况,流式细胞仪及实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)分别检测B7-1、B7-2、CD28及CTLA-4表达量及其mRNA表达水平,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测腹膜组织转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)表达水平。结果 正常小鼠的阳虚症状积分为(0.00±0.00)分,血清ACTH水平为(103.46±10.13)ng/L、CORT水平为(81.34±9.21)μg/L、T3含量为(178.52±15.86)ng/L、T4含量为(213.59±16.97)μg/L和TSH含量为(10.84±1.15)mIU/mL。与对照组相比,模型小鼠阳虚症状积分[(7.84±1.59)分]显著增加(P<0.05),血清ACTH[(71.09±6.42)ng/L]、CORT[(43.42±7.14)μg/L]、T3[(103.77±13.24)ng/L]、T4[(127.64±13.25)μg/L]、TSH含量[(8.14±1.02)mIU/mL]显著降低(P<0.05)。模型组小鼠的腹水量为(5.18±0.46)mL、瘤体积为(1.23±0.12)cm3、瘤重为(1.73±0.15)g、B7-1 mRNA水平为(1.06±0.10)、B7-2 mRNA水平为(1.04±0.11)、CD28 mRNA水平为(0.97±0.08)、CTLA-4 mRNA水平为(1.03±0.09)、TGF-β1含量为[(181.73±15.26)pg/g]和IL-10水平为[(68.74±6.03)pg/g]。与模型组相比,消水散低、中、高剂量组小鼠的腹水量[(4.03±0.41)、(3.24±0.25)、(2.33±0.27)mL]、瘤体积[(0.93±0.09)、(0.49±0.05)、(0.16±0.02)cm3]、瘤重[(1.42±0.13)、(0.79±0.11)、(0.27±0.08)g]、CTLA-4 mRNA水平[(0.83±0.07)、(0.42±0.05)、(0.16±0.02)]、TGF-β1[(152.69±12.39)、(131.45±11.68)、(107.26±10.52)pg/g]、IL-10[(51.65±5.38)、(34.28±2.73)、(27.13±2.64)pg/g]表达水平呈剂量依赖性降低(P<0.05),B7-1[(2.13±0.22)、(4.56±0.51)、(7.29±0.68)]、B7-2[(1.95±0.14)、(4.32±0.41)、(6.83±0.63)]、CD28[(2.02±0.15)、(3.94±0.28)、(7.11±0.84)]mRNA水平逐渐增加(P<0.05)。结论 消水散可抗人胃癌移植瘤恶性腹水作用,可能与抑制CTLA-4表达,促进T细胞激活,改善机体免疫抑制及腹腔免疫微环境有关。

Hepatitis C virus in human B lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus in vitro by in situ reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCV positive patient to permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNA strands of the cultured cells and growth media were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each month. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV were further tested using immunohistochemical SP method and in situ RT-PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA positive strands were consistently detected the cultured cells for one year. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells and the positive-strand RNA in supernatants were observed intermittently. Immunohistochemical results medicated expression of HCV NS3 and C proteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positive signal of PCR product was dark blue and mainly localized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCR signal was eliminated by overnight RNase digestion but not DNase digestion. CONCLUSION: HCV may exist and remain functional in a cultured cell line for a long period.

血清间皮素、HE4、CA125及VEGF-C对卵巢癌的诊断价值研究

目的探讨血清间皮素、人附睾上皮分泌蛋白4(HE4)、癌胚抗原125(CA125)及血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)对卵巢癌的诊断价值。方法比较卵巢癌组(97例)、良性组(100例)及对照组(120例)的血清间皮素、HE4、CA125及VEGF-C水平。联合Logistic回归分析和ROC曲线比较单一和联合指标对卵巢癌的诊断效能,并进一步建立卵巢癌的偏最小二乘判别分析(PLS-DA)模型。结果卵巢癌组的血清间皮素、HE4、CA125和VEGF-C水平高于良性组和对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。血清间皮素、HE4、CA125和VEGF-C的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.78(95%CI:0.72,0.84)、0.90(95%CI:0.85,0.94)、0.88(95%CI:0.83,0.92)和0.84(95%CI:0.80,0.90)。检测血清标志物(间皮素+HE4+CA125+VEGF-C)的AUC与间皮素+HE4+CA125、HE4+CA125+VEGF-C及HE4+CA125相当(0.99、0.98、0.98和0.97)。基于血清HE4+CA125的PLS-DA模型诊断卵巢癌的敏感性、特异性和准确率分别为88.7%,97.7%和95.0%。基于血清间皮素+HE4+CA125+VEGF-C诊断卵巢癌的敏感性、特异性和准确率分比为91.8%,97.3%和95.6%。结论联合检测血清标志物HE4和CA125是经济、有效的组合模式,有助于卵巢癌的鉴别诊断。

面向人机融合的C^(4)ISR系统架构研究

智能化战争中,打造能够理解、思考、与人协作的“机器大脑”是未来C^(4)ISR系统的发展方向之一。提出“人智能向机器智能迁移”的人机融合C^(4)ISR系统架构设计理念,创新设计涵盖“博弈对抗推演环境”等核心要素的系统组成,阐述战前和战中的运行机制,形成人机融合的C^(4)ISR系统的架构范式。最后,以智能目标识别与武器控制为实例,采用DoDAF,运用架构设计工具,阐述了架构范式在下一代系统设计中的应用过程。

Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Baseline Alanine Aminotransferase and CD4+ Count of Children with HIV Co-Infection with Hepatitis B and C at a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C viruses are endemic in sub- Saharan African countries including Nigeria. Researchers have studied the burden of co-infection of HIV with hepatitis B and hepatitis C but the risk factors and clinical presentation have not been much addressed especially in children. Methodology: This was a prospective cross sectional study that determined the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, baseline CD4+ count, CD4+ percentage, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of newly diagnosed, HAART na?ve HIV co-infection among children who were managed at a Tertiary Hospital in Ilorin, Nigeria. Result: Of the 60 HIV- infected children recruited, 11.7% had HIV co-infection with HBV or HCV. Children with co-infec- tions (mean age 8.43 ± 2.37 years) were significantly older than their HIV mono-infected counterparts (mean age 5.25 ± 3.96 years) (p = 0.011). There was no significant difference between HIV monoinfection and HIV co-infection with respect to gender (p = 0.758), ethnicity (p = 0.707), religion of parents (p = 0.436), family type (p = 0.184), social class (p = 0.535), previous transfusion (p = 0.053), scarification (p = 0.612), female genital mutilation (p = 0.778), and sharing of clippers (p = 0.806). The mean BMI, immunological staging (p = 0.535), baseline ALT (p = 0.940), and mean baseline CD4+ count (p = 0.928) were comparable. However, the body mass index of HIV co-infec- ted children decreased with age up till age 10 years. Conclusion: There were no risk factors, nor clinical features predictive of co-infection identified in this study. Co-infection did not negatively impact baseline, CD4+ count and ALT.

Overexpression of GATA binding protein 4 and myocyte enhancer factor 2C induces differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cardiac-like cells

BACKGROUND Heart diseases are the primary cause of death all over the world.Following myocardial infarction,billions of cells die,resulting in a huge loss of cardiac function.Stem cell-based therapies have appeared as a new area to support heart regeneration.The transcription factors GATA binding protein 4(GATA-4)and myocyte enhancer factor 2C(MEF2C)are considered prominent factors in the development of the cardiovascular system.AIM To explore the potential of GATA-4 and MEF2C for the cardiac differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs).METHODS hUC-MSCs were characterized morphologically and immunologically by the presence of specific markers of MSCs via immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry,and by their potential to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes.hUC-MSCs were transfected with GATA-4,MEF2C,and their combination to direct the differentiation.Cardiac differentiation was confirmed by semiquant itative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry.RESULTS hUC-MSCs expressed specific cell surface markers CD105,CD90,CD44,and vimentin but lack the expression of CD45.The transcription factors GATA-4 and MEF2C,and their combination induced differentiation in hUC-MSCs with significant expression of cardiac genes i.e.,GATA-4,MEF2C,NK2 homeobox 5(NKX2.5),MHC,and connexin-43,and cardiac proteins GATA-4,NKX2.5,cardiac troponin T,and connexin-43.CONCLUSION Transfection with GATA-4,MEF2C,and their combination effectively induces cardiac differentiation in hUC-MSCs.These genetically modified MSCs could be a promising treatment option for heart diseases in the future.

血清CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP联合检测在子宫内膜癌中的诊断效能

目的:探讨血清糖类抗原125(CA125)、糖类抗原153(CA153)、人附睾蛋白4(HE4)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP联合检测在子宫内膜癌中的诊断效能。方法:选取2019年5月至2021年5月该院收治的55例子宫内膜癌患者和43例子宫内膜良性病变患者为研究对象,比较两种疾病患者、子宫内膜癌不同分期患者的血清CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP水平,以及各指标单项与联合检测在子宫内膜癌中的诊断效能。结果:子宫内膜癌患者血清CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP水平均高于子宫内膜良性病变患者,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期子宫内膜癌患者CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP水平均高于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);ROC曲线分析结果显示,CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP单项检测与联合检测诊断子宫内膜癌的曲线下面积依次为0.634、0.696、0.675、0.589、0.923,联合检测诊断子宫内膜癌的效能高于单项检测。结论:血清CA125、CA153、HE4、hs-CRP联合检测诊断子宫内膜癌的效能高于单项检测。

人白细胞介素4在衣藻叶绿体中的高效转化及表达

人白细胞介素4(hIL4)是一种重要的免疫活性调节分子,与一些自身免疫性疾病有重要关系。将hIL4基因融合到衣藻叶绿体rbcL 5-’UTR和3’-UTR之间,组成5’UTR-hIL4-3’UTR片段,将其插入到来源于衣藻叶绿体基因组5.7 kb同源片段中,构建成pXhIL4同源重组质粒。利用电脉冲法将该质粒与含有aadA基因的壮观霉素抗性质粒p228共同转化衣藻叶绿体,从含100μg/mL的壮观霉素抗性平皿上筛选到阳性藻落,并通过PCR方法检测到hIL4基因,其共转化频率高达90%。经过western blotting印迹转移分析,证实了人白细胞介素4基因在衣藻叶绿体中获得成功表达,为进一步研究在衣藻叶绿体中高效表达外源蛋白奠定了基础。

霍奇金淋巴瘤潜伏膜蛋白1、p53及bcl-2蛋白的表达及意义

目的探讨EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白(LMP1)、p53、bcl-2的蛋白表达在霍奇金淋巴瘤(HL)致病机制中的作用及其意义。方法对收集的31例石蜡包埋的HL组织进行LMP1、p53、bcl-2蛋白免疫组化染色。结果LMP1、p53、bcl-2的阳性率分别为58.1%、61.3%、35.5%。LMP1与p53相关性分析具有统计学意义。结论p53可能参与LMP1在HL致病机制中的作用,bcl-2可能与HL的致病关系不大。

人细胞分裂控制蛋白4在口腔鳞状细胞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的检测人细胞分裂控制蛋白4(hCDC4)在口腔鳞状细胞癌(OSCC)中的表达情况,分析其与临床病理参数之间的相关性。方法收集52例手术切除的OSCC组织及12例正常组织,运用免疫组织化学技术检测hCDC4表达情况,分析hCDC4蛋白表达与临床病理参数之间的相关性。应用hCDC4-siRNA瞬时转染OSCC细胞系Tca8113,MTT及蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测细胞增殖能力及c-Myc和Cyclin E蛋白表达变化。结果 hCDC4蛋白在正常组织中的表达显著高于对应的OSCC组织(83.3%vs.25.0%,P<0.05);hCDC4蛋白低表达与较大肿瘤直径(≥4cm)和高临床分期(Ⅲ+Ⅳ)显著相关(P<0.05);敲低Tca8113细胞中hCDC4表达,导致细胞增殖能力显著增强(P<0.05)以及c-Myc和Cyclin E蛋白蓄积。结论 hCDC4表达缺失导致c-Myc和Cyclin E蛋白蓄积可能是促进肿瘤进展的重要因素。

Transient elastography: A non-invasive tool for assessing liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV patients

AIM: To assess the prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis (ALF) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV/HCV patients using transient elastography, and to identify factors associated with ALF. METHODS: Between September 2008 and October 2009, 71 HIV mono-infected, 57 HIV/HCV co-infected and 53 HCV mono-infected patients on regular follow-up at our Center were enrolled in this study. Alcohol intake, the main parameters of liver function, presence of HCV-RNA, HIV-RNA, duration of highly active anti-retroviraltherapy (HAART) and CD4 cell count were recorded. ALF was defined as liver stiffness (LS) ≥ 9.5 kPa. To estimate liver fibrosis (LF) a further 2 reliable biochemical scores, aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB-4, were also used. RESULTS: LS values of co-infected patients were higher than in either HIV or HCV mono-infected patients (χ 2M H = 4, P < 0.04). In fact, LS ≥ 9.5 was significantly higher in co-infected than in HIV and HCV mono-infected pa-tients (χ 2 = 5, P < 0.03). Also APRI and the FIB-4 index showed more LF in co-infected than in HIV mono-infect-ed patients (P < 0.0001), but not in HCV mono-infected patients. In HIV?HCV co-infected patients, the extent of LS was significantly associated with alcohol intake (P < 0.04) and lower CD4+ cell count (P < 0.02). In HCV pa-tients, LS was correlated with alcohol intake (P < 0.001) and cholesterol levels (P < 0.03). Body mass index, dia-betes, HCV-and HIV-viremia were not significantly cor-related with LS. In addition, 20% of co-infected patients had virologically unsuccessful HAART; in 50% compliance was low, CD4+ levels were < 400 cells/mm 3 and LS was > 9.5 kPa. There was no significant correlation between extent of LF and HAART exposure or duration of HAART exposure, in particular with specific dideoxynucleoside analogues. CONCLUSION: ALF was more frequent in co-infected than mono-infected patients. This result correlated with lower CD4 levels. Protective immunological effects of HAART on LF progression outweigh its hepatotoxic effects.

EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON THE IMMUNOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS IN HEPATITIS B VIRUS CARRIERS

A contrast study on the effects of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture wasconducted in 60 cases of chronic hepatitis B carriers.The results demonstrated that theimmunological functions,both cellular and humoral,were markedly regulated asevidenced by the negative turnover rates of HBsAg,HBeAg,anti-HBc and HBcAg,as wellas the positive turnover rate of anti-HBe.

烧伤后C-反应蛋白与补体间变化关系的动态观察

连续测定30例烧伤患者的CRP及总补体、C_3、C_4,我们发现CRP值的增加和补体的降低与烧伤面积及烧伤深度有关。组织创伤或感染越严重,CRP值越高,上升越快,补体下降的幅度越大,消耗的越多。补体的消耗与血清中CRP的存在及浓度有关,并且补体的消耗是通过CRP激活补体的经典途径进行的。似乎C_3旁路也被激活。CRP的上升和补体的下降幅度可预示病人的预后情况。

Risk of connective—tissue disease in men with testicular or penile prostheses：a preliminary study

AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.